Method for recording information on optical recording medium, information recorder and optical recording medium

ABSTRACT

It is an object of the present invention to provide an information recording method for recording information in a data rewritable type optical recording medium having a plurality of information recording layers, which can form recording marks having good shapes. In the information recording method according to the present invention, a plurality of recording marks selected from a group consisting of several types of recording marks with different lengths are formed in an optical recording medium  10  having at least a stacked L0 layer  20  and L1 layer  30  by projecting a laser beam via a light incidence plane. In the case of forming at least one recording mark among the several types of recording marks in L0 layer  20 , the recording powers of a top pulse T top  and a last pulse T lp  of the laser beam are set to Pw0′ lower than the recording power Pw0 of a multi-pulse T mp  thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of recording information in an optical recording medium, and particularly to a method of recording information in a data rewritable type optical recording medium having a plurality of information recording layers. Further, the present invention relates to an information recording apparatus for recording information in an optical recording medium, and particularly to an information recording apparatus for recording information in a data rewritable optical recording medium having a plurality of information recording layers. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an optical recording medium, and particularly to a data rewritable optical recording medium.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Optical recording media typified by the CD and the DVD have been widely used as recording media for recording digital data. The recording capacity demanded of such optical recording media has increased year by year, and various proposals have been made to achieve this. One of these proposals is a technique that uses a two-layer structure for the information recording layers contained in the optical recording media, which has found practical application in the DVD-Video and DVD-ROM formats which are read-only optical storage media. With such read-only optical recording media, pre-pits formed on the substrate surface become the information recording layer, and such substrates have a laminated structure with an intervening intermediate layer.

In addition, in recent years, proposals have been made for optical recording media with a two-layer structure for the information recording layer to be used also as an optical recording medium in which data can be rewritten (data rewritable type optical recording medium) (See Japanese Patent Application Laid Open NO. 2001-273638). Such a data rewritable type optical recording medium has a structure in which a recording film and dielectric films between which they are sandwiched form an information recording layer, and these information recording layers are laminated.

A phase change material is generally used for forming a recording film of a data rewritable type optical recording medium and data are recorded utilizing the difference in the reflection coefficients between the case where the recording film is in a crystal phase and the case where it is in an amorphous phase. More specifically, in an unrecorded state, substantially the entire surface of the recording film is in a crystal phase and when data are recorded, the phase of a predetermined region of the recording film is changed to the amorphous phase to form a recording pit. The phase of the phase change material in the crystal phase can be changed to the amorphous phase by heating the phase change material to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point thereof and quickly cooling it. On the other hand, the phase change material in the amorphous phase can be crystallized by heating the phase change material to a temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature thereof and gradually cooling it.

Such heating and cooling can be performed by adjusting the power (output) of a laser beam. In other words, it is possible not only to record data in an unrecorded recording film but also to directly overwrite (direct-overwrite) a recording mark already formed in a region of the recording film with a different recording mark by modulating the intensity of the laser beam. Generally, the power of the laser beam is modulated in accordance with a pulse waveform having an amplitude between a recording power (Pw) and a bottom power (Pb) in order to heat the recording film to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point thereof and the power of the laser beam is set to the bottom power (Pb) in order to quickly cool the recording film. Further, in order to heat the recording film to a temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature thereof and gradually cool it, the power of a laser beam is set to an erasing power (Pe). In this case, the erasing power (Pe) is set to a level at which the recording film is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature thereof and lower than the melting point thereof, thereby performing so-called solid phase erasing.

Here, in a data rewritable type optical recording medium having two information recording layers, since data are recorded or reproduced by focusing a laser beam onto one of the information recording layers, in the case of recording data in or reproducing data from the information recording layer farther from the light incidence plane (hereinafter referred to as an “L1 layer”), a laser beam is projected thereonto via the information recording layer closer to the light incidence plane (hereinafter referred to as an “L0 layer”). Therefore, since it is necessary for the L0 layer to have a sufficiently high light transmittance, it is general for the L0 layer to include no reflective film or even if the L0 layer includes a reflective film, the thickness of the reflective film is set to be very thin.

Since the L0 layer thus includes no reflective film or even if the L0 layer includes a reflective film, the thickness of the reflective film is set to be very thin in a data rewritable type optical recording medium having two information recording layers, the heat radiation characteristic of the L0 layer is lower than that of the L1 layer including a sufficiently thick reflective film and, therefore, re-crystallization of the phase change material tends to occur. More specifically, since metal is generally used as the material for forming a reflective film, heat generated in the L1 layer by irradiation with a laser beam can be quickly radiated through the reflective film having high thermal conductivity but since the L0 layer includes no reflective film or only a very thin reflective film, heat generated in the L0 layer by irradiation with a laser beam cannot be quickly radiated. A recording mark (an amorphous region) formed in the L0 layer is therefore deformed and a good signal cannot be reproduced.

Particularly, in recent years, attempts have been made to record large quantities of data by setting the quotient (λ/NA) of the wavelength λ of the laser beam used for recording and/or reproducing divided by the numerical aperture (NA) of the objective lens used to focus the laser beam to be equal to or shorter than 700 nm, for example, by setting the numerical aperture NA to 0.7 or greater, e.g. roughly 0.85, and also shortening the wavelength λ of the laser beam to about 200 to 450 nm in order to make the focused spot diameter of the laser beam smaller and increase the recording density. In such a system that records and/or reproduces data using a laser beam of short wavelength converged by an objective lens having a high NA, the above mentioned influence of thermal interference becomes great in the L0 layer and the phase change material tends to be re-crystallized. Further, cross-talk and cross-erase occur due to the presence of recording marks on neighboring tracks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information recording method for recording information in a data rewritable type optical recording medium having a plurality of information recording layers, which can form recording marks having good shapes.

Further, another object of the present invention is to provide an information recording apparatus for recording information in a data rewritable type optical recording medium having a plurality of information recording layers, which can form recording marks having good shapes.

Moreover, a further object of the present invention is to provide a data rewritable type optical recording medium having a plurality of information recording layers, in which recording marks having good shapes can be formed.

The above objects of the present invention can be accomplished by an information recording method for recording information in an optical recording medium having at least stacked first and second information recording layers where information is recorded by projecting a pulse-like laser beam whose power is modulated between a plurality of levels including at least a recording power onto the optical recording medium via a light incidence plane and forming thereon a plurality of recording marks selected from a group consisting of several types of recording marks with different lengths, the information recording method comprising a step of setting the recording powers of a top pulse and/or a last pulse of the laser beam used when information is to be recorded in the first information recording layer to be lower than the recording power of a multi-pulse thereof.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first information recording layer is located on the side of the light incidence plane with respect to the second information recording layer.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, information is recorded in the second information recording layer with the recording powers of a top pulse and/or a last pulse of the laser beam set to be substantially the same as the recording power of a multi-pulse thereof.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the recording power of the top pulse and the recording power of the last pulse are set to be at the same level.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, a wavelength λ of the laser beam and a numerical aperture NA of an objective lens satisfy the condition that λ/NA is equal to or shorter than 700 nm.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the laser beam has a wavelength λ of 200 to 450 nm.

The above object of the present invention can be also accomplished by an information recording apparatus for recording information in an optical recording medium having at least stacked first and second information recording layers where information is recorded by projecting a pulse-like laser beam whose power is modulated between a plurality of levels including at least a recording power onto the optical recording medium via a light incidence plane and forming thereon a plurality of recording marks selected from a group consisting of several types of recording marks with different lengths, the information recording apparatus being constituted so as to set the recording powers of a top pulse and/or a last pulse of the laser beam used when information is to be recorded in the first information recording layer to be lower than the recording power of a multi-pulse thereof.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first information recording layer is located on the side of the light incidence plane with respect to the second information recording layer.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, information is recorded in the second information recording layer with the recording powers of a top pulse and/or a last pulse of the laser beam set to be substantially the same as the recording power of a multi-pulse thereof.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, a wavelength λ of the laser beam and a numerical aperture NA of an objective lens satisfy the condition that λ/NA is equal to or shorter than 700 nm.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the laser beam has a wavelength λ of 200 to 450 nm.

The above object of the present invention can be also accomplished by an optical recording medium which has at least stacked first and second information recording layers and in which information can be recorded by projecting a pulse-like laser beam whose power is modulated between a plurality of levels including at least a recording power onto the optical recording medium via a light incidence plane and forming thereon a plurality of recording marks selected from a group consisting of several types of recording marks with different lengths, the optical recording medium comprising setting information required for setting the recording powers of a top pulse and/or a last pulse of the laser beam used when information is to be recorded in the first information recording layer to be lower than the recording power of a multi-pulse thereof.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first information recording layer is located on the side of the light incidence plane with respect to the second information recording layer.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, information is recorded in the second information recording layer with the recording powers of a top pulse and/or a last pulse of the laser beam set to be substantially the same as the recording power of a multi-pulse thereof.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the optical recording medium further comprises a light transmission layer and the light transmission layer has a thickness of 30 to 200 μm.

According to the present invention, recording marks having good shapes can be formed even when information in any one of the information recording layers is directly overwritten.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross section illustrating the structure of an optical recording medium 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a part of a process (a step for forming a substrate 11) for manufacturing an optical recording medium 10.

FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a part of a process (a step for forming an L1 layer 30) for manufacturing an optical recording medium 10.

FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a part of a process (a step for forming a transparent intermediate layer 12) for manufacturing an optical recording medium 10.

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a part of a process (a step for forming an L0 layer 20) for manufacturing an optical recording medium 10.

FIG. 6 is a set of waveform diagrams showing pulse train patterns used for recording data in an L1 recording film 32 wherein FIG. 6(a) shows a case of recording a 2T signal, FIG. 6(b) shows a case of recording a 3T signal, FIG. 6(c) shows a case of recording a 4T signal and FIG. 6(d) shows a case of recording one of a 5T signal to an 8T signal.

FIG. 7 is a set of waveform diagrams showing pulse train patterns used for recording data in an L0 recording film 22 wherein FIG. 6(a) shows a case of recording a 2T signal, FIG. 6(b) shows a case of recording a 3T signal, FIG. 6(c) shows a case of recording a 4T signal and FIG. 6(d) shows a case of recording one of a 5T signal to an 8T signal.

FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of the major components of an information recording apparatus 50 for recording data in an optical recording medium 10.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the results of single jitter measurement.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the results of cross jitter measurement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross section illustrating the structure of an optical recording medium 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an optical recording medium 10 according to this embodiment includes a substrate 11, an intermediate layer 12, a light transmission layer 13, an L0 layer 20 provided between the intermediate layer 12 and the light transmission layer 13 and an L1 layer 30 provided between the substrate 11 and the intermediate layer 12. The L0 layer 20 constitutes an information recording layer far from a light incidence plane 13 a and is constituted by a first dielectric film 21, an L0 recording film 22 and a second dielectric film 23. Further, the L1 layer 30 constitutes an information recording layer close to the light incidence plane 13 a and is constituted by a third dielectric film 31, an L1 recording film 32 and a fourth dielectric film 33. In this manner, the optical recording medium 10 according to this embodiment includes two information recording layers (the L0 layer 20 and the L1 layer 30).

The substrate 11 is a disc-like substrate having a thickness of about 1.1 mm serving as a support for ensuring mechanical strength required for the optical recording medium 10 and grooves 11 a and lands 11 b are formed on the surface thereof. The grooves 11 a and/or lands 11 b serve as a guide track for the laser beam L when data are to be recorded in the L1 layer 30 or when data are to be reproduced from the L1 layer 30. Although the depth of the groove 11 a is not particularly limited, it is preferably set to 10 nm to 40 nm and the pitch of the grooves 11 a is preferably set to 0.2 μm to 0.4 μm. Various materials can be used for forming the substrate 11 and the substrate 11 can be formed of glass, ceramic, resin or the like. Among these, resin is preferably used for forming the substrate 11 since resin can be easily shaped. Illustrative examples of resins suitable for forming the substrate 11 include polycarbonate resin, olefin resin, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polystyrene resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, silicone resin, fluoropolymers, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin, urethane resin and the like. Among these, polycarbonate resin or olefin resin is most preferably used for forming the substrate 11 from the viewpoint of easy processing, optical characteristics and the like. In this embodiment, since the laser beam L does not pass through the substrate 11, it is unnecessary for the substrate 11 to have a light transmittance property.

The intermediate layer 12 serves to space the L0 layer 20 and the L1 layer 30 apart by a sufficient distance and grooves 12 a and lands 12 b are formed on the surface thereof. The grooves 12 a and/or lands 12 b serve as a guide track for the laser beam L when data are to be recorded in the L0 layer 20 or when data are to be reproduced from the L0 layer 20. The depth of the groove 12 a and the pitch of the grooves 12 a can be set to be substantially the same as those of the grooves 11 a formed on the surface of the substrate 11. The depth of the intermediate layer 12 is preferably set to be 10 μm to 50 μm. The material for forming the intermediate layer 12 is not particularly limited and an ultraviolet ray curable acrylic resin is preferably used for forming the intermediate layer 12. It is necessary for the transparent intermediate layer 12 to have sufficiently high light transmittance since the laser beam L passes through the transparent intermediate layer 12 when data are to be recorded in the L1 layer 30 and data recorded in the L1 layer 30 are to be reproduced.

The light transmission layer 13 forms an optical path of a laser beam and a light incident plane 13 a is constituted by one of the surfaces thereof. The thickness of the light transmission layer 13 is preferably set to be 30 μm to 200 μm. The material for forming the light transmission layer 13 is not particularly limited and, similarly to the intermediate layer 12, an ultraviolet ray curable acrylic resin is preferably used for forming the light transmission layer 13. As described above, it is necessary for the light transmission layer 13 to have sufficiently high light transmittance since the laser beam L passes through the transparent intermediate layer 13.

Each of the L0 recording film 22 and the L1 recording film 33 is formed of a phase change material. Utilizing the difference in the reflection coefficients between the case where the L0 recording film 22 and the L1 recording film 33 are in a crystal phase and the case where they are in an amorphous phase, data are recorded in the L0 recording film 23 and the L1 recording film 33. The material for forming the L0 recording film 22 and the L1 recording film 33 is not particularly limited but it is preferable to form them using a SbTe system material. As the SbTe system material, SbTe may be used alone, or InSbTeGe, AgInSbTe, Ag SbTeGe, AgInSbTeGe or the like containing In, Te, Ge, Ag or the like as additives may be used.

Since the laser beam passes through the L0 recording film 22 when data are recorded in the L1 layer 30 and data recorded in the L1 layer 30 are reproduced, it is necessary for the L0 layer 20 to have a high light transmittance. Therefore, the thickness of the L0 recording film 22 is set to be considerably thinner than that of the L1 recording film 32. Concretely, it is preferable to set the thickness of the L1 recording film 32 to be about 3 to 20 nm and the thickness of the L0 recording film 22 to be 0.3 to 0.8 times that of the L1 recording film 32.

The first dielectric film 21 and the second dielectric film 23 formed so as to sandwich the L0 recording film 22 serve as protective films for the L0 recording film 22 and the third dielectric film 31 and the fourth dielectric film 33 formed so as to sandwich the L1 recording film 32 serve as protective films for the L10 recording film 32. The thickness of the first dielectric film 21 is preferably set to be 2 to 200 nm, the thickness of the second dielectric film 23 is preferably set to be 2 to 200 nm, the thickness of the third dielectric film 31 is preferably set to be 2 to 200 nm and the thickness of the fourth dielectric film 33 is preferably set to be 2 to 200 nm.

Each of these dielectric films may have a single-layered structure or may have a multi-layered structure including a plurality of dielectric films. The material for forming each of these dielectric films is not particularly limited but it is preferable to form it of oxide, nitride, sulfide, carbide of Si, Al, Ta and Zn such as SiO₂, Si₃O₄, Al₂O₃, AlN, TaO, ZnS, CeO₂ and the like or a combination thereof.

The reflective film 34 serves to reflect the laser beam entering through the light incident plane 13 a so as to emit it from the light incident plane 13 a and the thickness thereof is preferably set to be 20 to 200 nm. The material for forming the reflective film 34 is not particularly limited but the reflective film 34 is preferably formed of an alloy containing Ag or Al as a primary component and may be formed of Au, Pt or the like. Further, a moisture proof film may be provided between the reflective film 34 and the substrate 11 in order to prevent the reflective film 34 from being corroded. Materials usable for forming each of the first dielectric film 21 to the fourth dielectric film 33 can be used for forming the moisture proof film. Further, although the L0 layer 20 includes no reflective film, a thin reflective film having a thickness of about 3 to 15 nm may be provided in the L0 layer 20. In this case, the reflective film can be formed of the same material as used for forming the reflective film 34.

When data recorded in the thus constituted optical recording medium 10 are reproduced, a laser beam having a wavelength of 200 to 450 nm is projected onto the optical recording medium 10 via the light incidence plane 13 a and the amount of the laser beam reflected from the optical recording medium 10 is detected. As described above, since the L0 recording film 22 and the L1 recording film 32 are formed of the phase change material and the reflection coefficient in the case where the phase change material is in the crystal phase and that in the case where it is in the amorphous phase are different from each other, it is possible to judge by projecting the laser beam via the light incidence plane 13 a, focusing it onto one of the L0 recording film 22 and the L1 recording film 32 and detecting the amount of the laser beam reflected therefrom whether a region of the L0 recording film 22 or the L1 recording film 32 irradiated with the laser beam is in the crystal phase or the amorphous phase.

When data are to be recorded in the optical recording medium 10, a laser beam having a wavelength of 200 to 450 nm is projected to be focused onto one of the L0 recording film 22 and the L1 recording film 32 and in accordance with data to be recorded therein, a predetermined region of one of the L0 recording film 22 and the L1 recording film 32 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point thereof and quickly cooled, thereby changing the phase thereof to the amorphous phase or a predetermined region of one of the L0 recording film 22 and the L1 recording film 32 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature and gradually cooled, thereby changing the phase thereof to the crystal phase. The region whose phase has been changed to the amorphous phase is referred to as “a recording mark” and recorded data are expressed by the length from the starting point of the recording mark to the ending point thereof and the length from the ending point thereof to the starting point of the next recording mark. The length of each recording mark and the length between recording marks (edge to edge) are set to one of the lengths corresponding to 2T through 8T (where T is the clock period) when adopting the (1,7) RLL modulation scheme, although this is no particular limitation. A pulse train pattern used for recording data in the L0 recording film 22 and a pulse train pattern used for recording data in the L1 recording film 32 will be described later.

When recording data in or reproducing data from the L1 layer 30, a laser beam is projected onto the L1 recording film 32 via the L0 layer 20. Therefore, it is necessary for the L0 layer 20 to have a high light transmittance and, as pointed out above, the thickness of the L0 recording film 22 is set to be considerably thinner than that of the L1 recording film 32.

Here follows a description of the method of manufacturing an optical recording medium 10 according to this preferred embodiment.

FIGS. 2 to 5 are step drawings illustrating the method of manufacturing the optical recording medium 10.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, a stamper 40 is used to perform injection molding of a substrate 11 having grooves 11 a and lands 11 b. Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the sputtering method is used to form, upon nearly the entire surface of the side of the substrate 11 on which the grooves 11 a and the lands 11 b are formed, a reflective film 34, a fourth dielectric film 33, an L1 recording film 32 and a third dielectric film 34 in this order, thereby forming an L1 layer 30. Here, the phase of the L1 recording film 32 is normally in an amorphous phase immediately after the sputtering is completed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, ultraviolet curable acrylic resin is spin-coated onto the L1 layer 30, and by shining an ultraviolet ray through a stamper 41 in the state with its surface covered with the stamper 41, an intermediate layer 12 having grooves 12 a and lands 12 b is formed. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the sputtering method is used to form, upon nearly the entire surface of the intermediate layer 12 on which the grooves 11 a and the lands 11 b are formed, a second dielectric film 23, an L0 recording film 22 and a first dielectric film 21 in this order. Thus, an L0 layer 20 is completed. Here, the phase of the L0 recording film 22 is normally in an amorphous phase immediately after the sputtering is completed.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, ultraviolet curable acrylic resin is spin-coated onto the L0 layer 20, and by shining an ultraviolet ray, a light transmission layer 13 is formed. This completes all film deposition steps. In this specification, the optical recording medium in the state with the film deposition steps complete may also be called the “optical recording medium precursor.”

Next, the optical recording medium precursor is placed upon the rotary table of a laser irradiation apparatus (not shown) and rotated while being continuously irradiated with a rectangular laser beam having a shorter length in the direction along the track and a longer length in the direction perpendicular to the track. By shifting the irradiation position in the direction perpendicular to the track each time the optical recording medium precursor makes one revolution, the rectangular laser beam can be shined over nearly the entire surface of the L0 recording film 22 and the L1 recording film 32. Thereby, the phase change material making up the L0 recording film 22 and the L1 recording film 32 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature thereof and then cooled slowly, so the entire surface of the L0 recording film 22 and the L1 recording film 32 is put into the crystalline state, namely the unrecorded state. This process is called “an initializing process” in this specification.

When the initializing process is completed, the optical recording medium 10 is competed.

As described above, it is possible to record the desired digital data onto an optical recording medium 10 thus manufactured by aligning the focus of the laser beam during recording to either the L0 recording film 22 or the L1 recording film 32 to form recording marks. In addition, when data is recorded onto the L0 recording film 22 and/or L1 recording film 32 of the optical recording medium 10 in this manner, as described above, by aligning the focus of a laser beam set to playback power to either the L0 recording film 22 or the L1 recording film 32 and detecting the amount of light reflected, it is possible to reproduce the digital data thus recorded.

Next, a pulse train pattern used for recording data in the L0 recording film 22 and a pulse train pattern used for recording data in the L1 recording film 32 will be described in detail.

As described above, although the L1 layer 30 has a high heat radiation characteristic since it is provided with the reflective film 34 having high thermal conductivity, the heat radiation characteristics of the L0 layer 20 is low because the L0 layer 20 is provided with no reflective film or, even if provided with a reflective film, is provided with only a very thin reflective film, whereby the L0 recording film 22 tends to be re-crystallized due to thermal interference. Therefore, in the present invention, different pulse train patterns are used between the case of recording data in the L0 recording film 22 and the case of recording data in the L1 recording film 32, thereby reducing thermal interference in the L0 recording film 22 in which the cooling effect is low.

Hereinafter, pulse train patterns in the case where the (1,7)RLL modulation scheme is selected will be concretely described. Although the details thereof will be described later, in this embodiment, in the case of recording data in the L1 recording film 32, the recording power Pw of the laser beam is set to Pw1 (this recording format will be sometimes referred to as “one value recording” hereinafter), and in the case of recording data in the L0 recording film 22, the recording power Pw of the laser beam is set to Pw0 or Pw0′ (this recording format will be sometimes referred to as “double value recording” hereinafter).

FIG. 6 is a set of waveform diagrams showing pulse train patterns used for recording data in an L1 recording film 32 wherein FIG. 6(a) shows a case of recording a 2T signal, FIG. 6(b) shows a case of recording a 3T signal, FIG. 6(c) shows a case of recording a 4T signal and FIG. 6(d) shows a case of recording one of a 5T signal to an 8T signal.

As shown in FIGS. 6(a) to (d), in this embodiment, when data are to be recorded in the L1 recording film 32, the power of the laser beam is modulated between three levels (three values) of a recording power (Pw1), an erasing power (Pe1) and a bottom power (Pb1). The level of the recording power (Pw1) is set to such a high level that the L1 recording film 32 can be melted by the irradiation with the laser beam of the recording power Pw1. The level of the erasing power (Pe1) is set to such a level that the L1 recording film 32 can be heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a crystallization temperature thereof. The level of the bottom power (Pb1) is set to such a low level that the melted L1 recording film 32 can be cooled even if it is irradiated with the laser beam of the bottom power Pb0.

The recording power (Pw1), the erasing power (Pe1) and the bottom power (Pb1) can be set in accordance with the configuration of the optical recording medium and the optical system of the information recording apparatus. For example, the recording power (Pw1) can be set to 7.0 mW to 10.0 mW, the erasing power (Pe1) can be set to 4.0 mW to 7.0 mW and the bottom power (Pb1) can be set to 0.1 mW to 0.5 mW. Here, the values of the recording power (Pw1), the erasing power (Pe1) and the bottom power (Pb1) are defined as those at the surface of an optical recording medium.

When recording marks are formed in the L1 recording film 32, namely, when the phase of the L1 recording film 32 is changed to the amorphous phase, the power of the laser beam is modulated in accordance with a waveform having the amplitude of the recording power (Pw1) or an amplitude between the recording power (Pw1) and the bottom power (Pb1) to heat the L1 recording film 32 to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point thereof, whereafter it is quickly cooled by setting the power of the laser beam to the bottom power (Pb1). On the other hand, when the recording mark is to be erased, namely, when the L1 recording film 32 is to be crystallized, the power of the laser beam is fixed at the erasing power (Pe1), thereby heating the L1 recording film 32 to a temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature thereof and lower than the melting point thereof and gradually cooling the L1 recording film 32. Thus, the recording mark is solid-phase erased. Hereinafter, concrete pulse train patterns for the respective recording marks will be described in detail.

First, as shown in FIG. 6(a), in the case of recording a 2T signal in the L1 recording film 32, the number pulses is set to 1 and a cooling interval T_(cl) is inserted thereafter. In the case of recording data in the L1 recording film 32, the number of pulses is defined as the number of times the power of the laser beam is raised to the recording power (Pw1). Further, in this specification, a first pulse is defined as a top pulse, a final pulse is defined as a last pulse and any pulse present between the top pulse and the last pulse is defined as a multi-pulse. However, in the case where the number of pulses is set to 1 as shown in FIG. 6(a), the pulse is the top pulse.

At the cooling interval T_(cl), the power of the laser beam is set to the bottom power (Pb1). In this manner, in this specification, a last interval during which the power of the laser beam is set to the bottom power (Pb1) is defined as the cooling interval. Therefore, in the case of recording a 2T signal, the power of the laser beam is set to the erasing power (Pe1) before the time t₁₁, set to the recording power (Pw1) during the period (T_(top)) from the time t₁₁ to the time t₁₂, set to the bottom power (Pb1) during the period (T_(cl)) from the time t₁₂ to the time t₁₃ and set to the erasing power (Pe1) after the time t₁₃.

Here, although the pulse width T_(top) of the top pulse is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.3T to 0.5T and particularly preferable to set it to about 0.4T. Further, although the cooling interval T_(cl) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.6T to 1.0T and particularly preferable to set it to about 0.8T.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6(b), in the case of recording a 3T signal in the L1 recording film 32, the number of pulses of a laser beam is set to 2 and a cooling interval T_(cl) is inserted thereafter. Therefore, in the case of recording a 3T signal, the power of the laser beam is set to the erasing power (Pe1) before the time t₂₁, set to the recording power (Pw1) during the period (T_(top)) from the time t₂₁, to the time t₂₂ and the period (T_(lp)) from the time t₂₃ to the time t₂₄, set to the bottom power (Pb1) during the period (T_(off)) from the time t₂₂ to the time t₂₃ and the period (T_(cl)) from the time t₂₄ to the time t₂₅ and set to the erasing power (Pe1) after the time t₂₅.

Here, although the pulse width T_(top) of the top pulse is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.3T to 0.5T and particularly preferable to set it to about 0.4T. Further, although the pulse width T_(lp) of the last pulse is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.4T to 0.6T and particularly preferable to set it to about 0.5T. Moreover, although the off interval T_(off) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to (1—Tnxt). Here, Tnxt is the pulse width of a pulse present immediately before the off interval T_(off) and corresponds to the pulse width T_(lp) of the top pulse in FIG. 6(b). Therefore, if T_(top) is equal to 0.4, the off interval T_(off) is equal to 0.6. Further, although the cooling interval T_(cl) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.6T to 1.0T and particularly preferable to set it to about 0.8T.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6(c), in the case of recording a 4T signal in the L1 recording film 32, the number of pulses of the laser beam is set to 3 and a cooling interval T_(cl), is inserted thereafter. Therefore, in the case of recording a 4T signal, the power of the laser beam is set to the erasing power (Pe1) before the time t₃₁, set to the recording power (Pw1) during the period (T_(top)) from the time t₃₁ to the time t₃₂, the period (T_(mp)) from the time t₃₃ to the time t₃₄ and the period (T_(lp)) from the time t₃₅ to the time t₃₆, set to the bottom power (Pb1) during the period (T_(off)) from the time t₃₂ to the time t₃₃, the period (T_(off)) from the time t₃₄ to the time t₃₅ and the period (T_(cl)) from the time t₃₆ to the time t₃₇ and set to the erasing power (Pe1) after the time t₃₇.

Here, although the pulse width T_(top) of the top pulse and the pulse width T_(mp) of the multi-pulse are not particularly limited, it is preferable to set them to 0.3T to 0.5T and particularly preferable to set them to about 0.4T. Further, although the pulse width T_(lp) of the last pulse is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.4T to 0.6T and particularly preferable to set it to about 0.5T. Moreover, although the off interval T_(off) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to (1—Tnxt). Here, Tnxt is the pulse width of a pulse present immediately before the off interval T_(off) and corresponds to the pulse width T_(top) of the top pulse or the pulse width T_(mp) of the multi-pulse in FIG. 6(c). Therefore, if T_(top) is equal to 0.4, the off interval T_(off) is equal to 0.6 and if T_(mp) is equal to 0.4, the off interval T_(off) is equal to 0.6. Further, although the cooling interval T_(cl) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.6T to 1.0T and particularly preferable to set it to about 0.8T.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6(d), in the case of recording any one of a 5T signal to an 8T signal in the L1 recording film 32, the number of pulses is correspondingly set to one of 4 to 7 and a cooling interval T_(cl) is inserted thereafter. Therefore, in the case of recording any one of a 5T signal to an 8T signal in the L1 recording film 32, the power of the laser beam is set to the erasing power (Pe1) before the time t₄₁, set to the recording power (Pw1) during the period (T_(top)) from the time t₄₁ to the time t₄₂, the period (T_(mp)) from the time t₄₃ to the time t₄₄, the period (T_(mp)) from the time t₄₅ to the time t₄₆ and the period (T_(lp)) from the time t₄₇ to the time t₄₈, set to the bottom power (Pb1) during the period (T_(off)) from the time t₄₂ to the time t₄₃, the period (T_(off)) from the time t₄₆ to the time t₄₇ and the cooling interval T_(cl) from the time t₄₈ to the time t₄₉, and set to the erasing power (Pe1) after the time t₄₉.

Here, although the pulse width T_(top) of the top pulse and the pulse width T_(mp) of the multi-pulse are not particularly limited, it is preferable to set them to 0.3T to 0.5T and particularly preferable to set them to about 0.4T. Further, although the pulse width T_(lp) of the last pulse is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.4T to 0.6T and particularly preferable to set it to about 0.5T. Moreover, although the off interval T_(off) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to (1—Tnxt). Here, Tnxt is the pulse width of a pulse present immediately before the off interval T_(off) and corresponds to the pulse width T_(top) of the top pulse or the pulse width T_(mp) of each of the multi-pulses in FIG. 6(d). Therefore, if T_(top) is equal to 0.4, the off interval T_(off) is equal to 0.6 and if T_(mp) is equal to 0.4, the off interval T_(off) is equal to 0.6. Further, although the cooling interval T_(cl) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.6T to 1.0T and particularly preferable to set it to about 0.8T.

Thus, at a region where one of recording signals among a 2T signal to an 8T signal is to be recorded, the L0 recording film 22 or the L1 recording film 32 melted by the irradiation with the laser beam of the recording power (Pw1) is quickly cooled during the cooling interval T_(cl) and the phase thereof is changed to an amorphous phase. On the other hand, at the other regions, the L0 recording film 22 or the L1 recording film 32 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature thereof and gradually cooled as the laser beam is moved away, thereby being crystallized.

The pulse train patterns described above are those used for recording data in the L1 recording film 32. In this manner, in this embodiment, in the case of recording data in the L1 recording film 32 far from the light incidence plane 13 a, since the recording powers of the top pulse, the multi-pulses and the last pulse are equally set to Pw1, it is possible to form recording marks having good shapes.

Next, pulse train patterns used for recording data in the L0 recording film 22 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a set of waveform diagrams showing pulse train patterns used for recording data in the L0 recording film 22 wherein FIG. 7(a) shows a case of recording a 2T signal, FIG. 7(b) shows a case of recording a 3T signal, FIG. 7(c) shows a case of recording a 4T signal and FIG. 7(d) shows a case of recording one of a 5T signal to an 8T signal.

As shown in FIGS. 7(a) to (d), in this embodiment, when data are to be recorded in the L1 recording film 32, the power of the laser beam is modulated between four levels (four values) of a recording power (Pw0), a recording power (Pw0′), an erasing power (Pe0) and a bottom power (Pb0). The recording powers (Pw0) and (Pb0′) are set to such a high level that the L0 recording film 22 can be melted by irradiation with the laser beam, the erasing power (Pe0) is set to such a level that the L0 recording film 22 can be heated by irradiation with the laser beam to a temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature thereof and lower than the melting point thereof, and the bottom power (Pb0) is set to such a low level that the melted L0 recording film 22 can be cooled even if it is irradiated with the laser beam.

The recording power (Pw0), the recording power (Pb0′), the erasing power (Pe0) and the bottom power (Pb0) can be set in accordance with the configuration of the optical recording medium and the optical system of the information recording apparatus. For example, the recording power (Pw0) can be set to 5.0 mW to 6.6 mW, the erasing power (Pe0) can be set to 1.3 mW to 1.7 mW and the bottom power (Pb0) can be set to 0.1 mW to 0.5 mW. The recording power (Pb0′) can be set to be lower than the recording power (Pw0), for example, about 0.9 times the recording power (Pw0) (0.9×Pw0). Here, the values of the recording power (Pw0), the recording power (Pb0′), the erasing power (Pe0) and the bottom power (Pb0) are defined as those at the surface of an optical recording medium.

When a recording mark is formed in the L0 recording film 22, namely, when the phase of the L0 recording film 22 is changed to the amorphous phase, the power of the laser beam is modulated in accordance with a waveform having the amplitude of the recording power (Pw0) or an amplitude between the recording power (Pw0) and the bottom power (Pb0) or a waveform having the amplitude of the recording power (Pb0′) or an amplitude between the recording power (Pb0′) and the bottom power (Pb0) to heat the L0 recording film 22 to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point thereof, whereafter it is quickly cooled by setting the power of the laser beam to the bottom power (Pb0). On the other hand, when the recording mark formed in the L0 recording film 22 is to be erased, namely, when the L0 recording film 22 is to be crystallized, the power of the laser beam is fixed at the erasing power (Pe0), thereby heating the L0 recording film 22 to a temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature thereof and lower than the melting point thereof and gradually cooling the L0 recording film 22. Thus, the recording mark is solid-phase erased. Hereinafter, concrete pulse train patterns for the respective recording marks will be described in detail.

First, as shown in FIG. 7(a), in the case of recording a 2T signal in the L0 recording film 22, the number of pulses is set to 1 and a cooling interval T_(cl) is inserted thereafter. Here, the number of pulses is defined as the number of times the power of the laser beam is raised to the recording power (Pw0) or (Pb0′).

At the cooling interval T_(cl), the power of a laser beam is set to the bottom power (Pb0). In this manner, in this specification, in the case of recording a 2T signal in the L0 recording film 22, a last interval during which the power of the laser beam is set to the bottom power (Pb0) is defined as the cooling interval. Therefore, in the case of recording a 2T signal in the L0 recording film 22, the power of the laser beam is set to the erasing power (Pe0) before the time t₅₁, set to the recording power (Pw0) during the period (T_(top)) from the time t₅₁ to the time t₅₂, set to the bottom power (Pb0) during the period (T_(cl)) from the time t₅₂ to the time t₅₃ and set to the erasing power (Pe0) after the time t₅₃.

Here, although the pulse width T_(top) of the top pulse is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.2T to 0.4T and particularly preferable to set it to about 0.3T. Further, although the cooling interval T_(cl) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.8T to 1.2T and particularly preferable to set it to about 1.0T.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7(b), in the case of recording a 3T signal in the L0 recording film 22, the number of pulses is set to 2 and a cooling interval T_(cl), is inserted thereafter. Therefore, in the case of recording a 3T signal in the L0 recording film 22, the power of the laser beam is set to the erasing power (Pe0) before the time t₆₁, set to the recording power (Pw0) during the period (T_(top)) from the time t₆₁ to the time t₆₂ and the period (T_(lp)) from the time t₆₃ to the time t₆₄, set to the bottom power (Pb0) during the period (T_(off)) from the time t₆₂ to the time t₆₃ and the period (T_(cl)) from the time t₆₄ to the time t₆₅, and set to the erasing power (Pe0) after the time t₆₅.

Here, although the pulse width T_(top) of the top pulse and the pulse width T_(lp) of the last pulse are not particularly limited, it is preferable to set them to 0.15T to 0.3T and particularly preferable to set them to 0.2T. Further, although the off interval T_(off) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to (1—Tnxt). Here, Tnxt is the pulse width of a pulse present immediately before the off interval T_(off) and corresponds to the pulse width T_(lp) of the top pulse in FIG. 7(b). Therefore, if T_(lp) is equal to 0.2, the off interval T_(off) is equal to 0.8. Further, although the cooling interval T_(cl) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.8T to 1.2T and particularly preferable to set it to about 1.0T.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7(c), in the case of recording a 4T signal in the L0 recording film 22, the number of pulses is set to 3 and a cooling interval T_(cl) is inserted thereafter. Therefore, in the case of recording a 4T signal in the L0 recording film 22, the power of the laser beam is set to the erasing power (Pe0) before the time t₇₁, set to the recording power (Pb0′) during the period (T_(top)) from the time t₇₁ to the time t₇₂ and the period (T_(lp)) from the time t₇₅ to the time t₇₆, set to the recording power (Pw0) during the period (T_(mp)) from the time t₇₃ to the time t₇₄, set to the bottom power (Pb0) during the period (T_(off)) from the time t₇₂ to the time t₇₃, the period (T_(off)) from the time t₇₄ to the time t₇₅ and the period (T_(cl)) from the time t₇₆ to the time t₇₇, and set to the erasing power (Pe0) after the time t₇₇.

Here, although the pulse width T_(top) of the top pulse, the pulse width T_(mp) of the multi-pulse and the pulse width T_(lp) of the last pulse are not particularly limited, it is preferable to set them to 0.15T to 0.3T and particularly preferable to set them to 0.2T. Further, although the off interval T_(off) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to (1—Tnxt). Here, Tnxt is the pulse width of a pulse present immediately before the off interval T_(off) and corresponds to the pulse width T_(top) of the top pulse or the pulse width T_(mp) of the multi-pulse in FIG. 7(c). Therefore, if T_(top) is equal to 0.2, the off interval T_(off) is equal to 0.8 and if T_(mp) is equal to 0.2, the off interval T_(off) is equal to 0.8. Further, although the cooling interval T_(cl) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.8T to 1.2T and particularly preferable to set it to about 1.0T.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7(d), in the case of recording any one of a 5T signal to an 8T signal in the L0 recording film 22, the number of pulses is correspondingly set to one of 4 to 7 and a cooling interval T_(cl) is inserted thereafter. The number of multi-pulses is set to 2 to 5 correspondingly to a 5T signal to an 8T signal. In this case, the power of the laser beam is set to the recording power (Pb0′) during the period T_(top) from the time t₈₁ to the time t₈₂ and the period T_(lp) from the time t₈₇ to the time t₈₈, set to the recording power (Pw0) during the periods T_(mp) corresponding to those from the time t₈₃ to the time t₈₄, from the time t₈₅ to the time t₈₆ and so on, set to the bottom power (Pb0) during the off periods T_(off) corresponding to those from the time t₈₂ to the time t₈₃, from the time t₈₆ to the time t₈₇ and so on and the cooling interval T_(cl) from the time t₈₈ to the time t₈₉, and set to the erasing power (Pe0) during the other periods. Here, although the pulse width T_(top) of the top pulse, the pulse width T_(mp) of each of the multi-pulses and the pulse width T_(lp) of the last pulse are not particularly limited, it is preferable to set them to 0.15T to 0.3T and particularly preferable to set them to 0.2T. Further, although the off interval T_(off) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to (1—Tnxt). Here, Tnxt is the pulse width of a pulse present immediately before the off interval T_(off) and corresponds to the pulse width T_(top) of the top pulse or the pulse width T_(mp) of the multi-pulse in FIG. 7(c). Therefore, if T_(top) is equal to 0.2, the off interval T_(off) is equal to 0.8 and if T_(mp) is equal to 0.2, the off interval T_(off) is equal to 0.8. Further, although the cooling interval T_(cl) is not particularly limited, it is preferable to set it to 0.8T to 1.2T and particularly preferable to set it to about 1.0T.

Thus, at a region where one of a 2T signal to an 8T signal is to be recorded, the L0 recording film 22 melted by irradiation with the laser beam of the recording power (Pw0) and/or the recording power (Pb0′) is quickly cooled during the cooling interval T_(cl) and the phase thereof is changed to the amorphous phase. On the other hand, at the other regions, the L0 recording film 22 is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature thereof and lower than the melting point thereof and gradually cooled as the laser beam moves away, thereby being crystallized.

The pulse train patterns described above are those used for recording data in the L0 recording film 22. In this manner, in this embodiment, in the case of recording data in the L0 recording film 22 close to the light incidence plane 13 a, since the recording powers of the top pulse and last pulse are set to the recording power (Pb0′) lower than the recording power (Pw0) of each of the multi-pulses, it is possible to reduce thermal interference in the L0 recording film 22 in which the cooling effect is low and prevent the L0 recording film 22 from being re-crystallized.

It is preferable to store information for identifying the pulse train patterns for the L0 layer 20 and the L1 layer 30 as “recording condition setting information” in the optical recording medium 10. If such recording condition setting information is stored in the optical recording medium 10, then when data are actually recorded in the optical recording medium 10 by the user, the recording condition setting information is read by an information recording apparatus and the pulse train patterns can be determined based on the thus read recording condition setting information. Therefore, for example, when the user requests recording of data in the L1 layer 30, the information recording apparatus records data using the pulse train patterns shown in FIG. 6 and when the user requests recording of data in the L2 layer 20, the information recording apparatus records data using the pulse train patterns shown in FIG. 7.

It is more preferable for the recording condition setting information to include not only information required for identifying the pulse train patterns for the L0 layer 20 and the L1 layer 30 but also information required for identifying various conditions such as the linear recording velocity required to record data in the optical recording medium 10. The recording condition setting information may be recorded in the optical recording medium 10 as a wobble signal or pre-pits, or it may be recorded as data in the L0 recording film 22 and/or the L1 recording film 32. Further, the recording condition setting information may include not only information directly indicating various conditions required to record data but also information capable of indirectly identifying the pulse train patterns by specifying any of various conditions stored in the information recording apparatus in advance.

FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing of the major components of an information recording apparatus 50 for recording data in the optical recording medium 10.

As shown in FIG. 8, the information recording apparatus 50 is equipped with a spindle motor 52 for rotating an optical recording medium 10, an optical head 53 for shining a laser beam onto the optical recording medium 10, a controller 54 for controlling the operation of the spindle motor 52 and the optical head 53, a laser driving circuit 55 that supplies a laser driving signal to the optical head 53, and a lens driving circuit 56 that supplies a lens driving signal to the optical head 53.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, the controller 54 includes a focusing servo circuit 57, a tracking servo circuit 58, and a laser control circuit 59. When the focusing servo circuit 57 is activated, the focus is aligned with the recording surface of the rotating optical recording medium 10, and when the tracking servo circuit 58 is activated, the spot of the laser beam begins to automatically track the eccentric signal track of the optical recording medium 10. The focusing servo circuit 57 and tracking servo circuit 58 are provided with an auto gain control function for automatically adjusting the focusing gain and an auto gain control function for automatically adjusting the tracking gain, respectively. In addition, the laser control circuit 59 is a circuit that generates the laser driving signal supplied by the laser driving circuit 55 and generates a laser driving signal based on recording condition setting information recorded on the optical recording medium 10.

Note that the focusing servo circuit 57, tracking servo circuit 58 and laser control circuit 59 need not be circuits incorporated in the controller 54 but can instead be components separate of the controller 54. Moreover, they need not be physical circuits but can instead be accomplished by software programs executed in the controller 54.

In the case of recording data in the optical recording medium 10 using the thus constituted information recording apparatus 50, as described above, the recording condition setting information recorded in the optical recording medium 10 is read and pulse train patterns are determined based on the thus read recording condition setting information. Therefore, in the case of recording data in the L1 layer 30, the information recording apparatus 50 records data using the pulse train patterns shown in FIG. 6 based on the thus read recording condition setting information and in the case of recording data in the L0 layer 20, the information recording apparatus 50 records data using the pulse train patterns shown in FIG. 7 based on the thus read recording condition setting information.

The present invention is in no way limited to the aforementioned embodiment and various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as recited in the claims, and these are naturally included within the scope of the invention.

For example, in the preferred embodiment set out above, an optical recording medium having two recording layers was described, but the optical recording media to which the present invention can be applied are not limited thereto and the present invention is also applicable to optical recording media having three or more recording layers. In this case, when at least one recording mark is formed in the information recording layer closest to the light incidence plane 13 a to record data therein, it is sufficient to set the recording powers of the top pulse and the last pulse to be lower than that of each of the multi-pulses.

Further, in the preferred embodiment above, the pulse train patterns when the (1,7)RLL modulation scheme was employed were referred to. However, the present invention is not limited to the pulse train patterns used when the (1,7)RLL modulation scheme is employed and can also be applied to the pulse train patterns used when the 8/16 modulation scheme capable of recording any one of a 3T signal to an 11T signal and 14T signal is employed.

Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment above, the power of the laser beam is modulated between four levels (four values) of a recording power (Pw0), a recording power (Pb0′), an erasing power (Pe0) and a bottom power (Pb0) in the case of recording information in the L0 layer 20 and the explanation was made as to the case where the recording powers were set to two values (Pw0) and (Pb0′). However, the laser power modulating format to which the present invention applies is not limited thereto and it is possible to record information by modulating the power of a laser beam between five levels or more or setting recording powers to three values or more, for example.

Moreover, in the preferred embodiment above, the recording powers of the top pulse and/or the last pulse are set to Pw0′ in the case of recording information in the L0 layer 20. However, it is not absolutely necessary to set the recording power of a top pulse and the recording power of a last pulse to the same level and they may be set different. Further, only one of the recording powers of a top pulse and a last pulse may be set to be lower than the recording power of each of the multi-pulses. In conclusion, it is sufficient to set the recording powers of a top pulse and/or a last pulse of a laser beam to be lower than that of each of the multi-pulses in the case of recording information in the information recording layer closest to the light incidence plane 13 a.

As described above, according to the present invention, since it is possible to reduce re-crystallization due to thermal interference, recording marks having good shapes can be formed.

Here, the influence of thermal interference becomes pronounced as the wavelength of the laser beam used for recording data is shorter and the numerical aperture (NA) of the objective lens used for converging the laser beam is larger. Therefore, the present invention is particularly effective in the case where the quotient (λ/NA) of the wavelength λ of the laser beam used for reproducing data divided by the numerical aperture (NA) of the objective lens used to focus the laser beam is equal to or shorter than 700 nm, for example, where the numerical aperture NA is 0.7 (particularly, roughly 0.85) and the wavelength λ of the laser beam is about 200 to 450 nm.

WORKING EXAMPLE

Hereinafter, a Working Example will be described concretely.

Fabrication of an Optical Recording Medium 10

A stamper 40 shown in FIG. 2 was first used to perform injection molding of polycarbonate, thereby fabricating a substrate 11 having grooves 11 a whose depth was 34 mm and whose pitch was 0.32 μm and a thickness of 1.1 mm.

Then, the substrate 11 was set in a sputtering apparatus (not shown) and an Ag alloy, a mixture of ZnS and SiO₂ (mole ratio of 80:20), AgSbTeGe and a mixture of ZnS and SiO₂ (mole ratio of 80:20) were sputtered in this order on nearly the entire surface of the side of the substrate 11 on which the grooves 11 a and the lands 11 b were formed, thereby forming an L1 layer 30, namely, a reflective film 34 having a thickness of 100 nm, a fourth dielectric film 33 having a thickness of 15 nm, an L1 recording film 32 having a thickness of 12 nm and a third dielectric film 31 having a thickness of 80 nm.

Next, the substrate 11 formed with the L1 layer was picked out from the sputtering apparatus and an ultraviolet ray curable resin was applied onto the third dielectric film 31 using a spin coating process. Further, an ultraviolet ray was shined on the surface of the spin-coated ultraviolet ray curable resin through a stamper 41 in the state with its surface covered with the stamper 41, thereby forming an intermediate layer 12 having grooves 12 a whose depth was 34 mm and whose pitch was 0.32 μm and a thickness of 20 μm.

Then, the substrate 11 formed with the L1 layer 30 and the intermediate layer 12 was set in the sputtering apparatus and Al₂O₃, SbTe and a mixture of ZnS and SiO₂ (mole ratio of 80:20) were sputtered in this order on nearly the entire surface of the side of the intermediate layer 12 on which the grooves 12 a and the lands 12 b are formed, thereby forming an L0 layer 20, namely, a second dielectric film 23 having a thickness of 70 nm, an L0 recording film 22 having a thickness of 8 nm and a first dielectric film 21 having a thickness of 60 nm.

Further, after the substrate 11 formed with the L1 layer 30, the intermediate layer 12 and the L0 layer 20 was picked out from the sputtering apparatus, an ultraviolet ray curable resin was applied onto the first dielectric film 21 using a spin coating process and an ultraviolet ray was shined on the spin-coated ultraviolet ray curable resin, thereby forming a light transmission layer 13 having a thickness of 100 μm. Thus, an optical recording medium precursor was fabricated.

Next, the optical recording medium precursor was placed upon the rotary table of a laser irradiation apparatus (not shown) and rotated while being continuously irradiated with a rectangular laser beam having a shorter length in the direction along the track and a longer length in the direction perpendicular to the track. The irradiation position was shifted in the direction perpendicular to the track each time the optical recording medium precursor made one revolution, thereby crystallizing substantially the entire surface of the L0 recording film 22 and the L1 recording film 32. Thus, an optical recording medium 10 to be used in this Working Example was completed.

Recording Data (Measuring a Single Jitter Value)

Random signals including a 2T signal to an 8T signal were recorded on one track of the L0 layer 20 of the thus fabricated optical recording medium 10 using the double value recording pulse train patterns shown in FIGS. 7(a) to 7(d). In the pulse train patterns, the recording power (Pb0′), the erasing power (Pe0) and the bottom power (Pb0) were set to 0.9×Pw0, 1.5 mW and 0.1 mW, respectively, while the recording power (Pw0) was varied. T_(top), T_(mp) and T_(lp) were set to 0.2T, T_(off) was set to 0.8T and T_(cl) was set to 1.0T.

Further, as a comparative example, random signals including a 2T signal to an 8T signal were recorded on one track of the L0 layer 20 of the optical recording medium 10 using the single value recording pulse train patterns used for recording data in the L1 layer 30 and shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d). In the pulse train patterns, the erasing power (Pe0) and the bottom power (Pb0) were set to 1.5 mW and 0.1 mW, respectively, while the recording power (Pw0) was varied. T_(top), T_(mp) and T_(lp) were set to 0.2T, T_(off) was set to 0.8T and T_(cl) was set to 1.0T. These pulse train patterns were the same as those used for recording data in the L1 layer 30 and employed for comparing the case where data were recorded in the L1 layer 30 using the above pulse train patterns and a case where data were recorded in the L0 layer using the same.

As the random signals, signals in the (1,7) RLL modulation scheme were recorded by setting the clock frequency to 65.7 MHz (T=15.2 nsec) and the linear recording velocity to 5.7 m/sec. The wavelength of the laser beam used for recording data was 405 nm and the numerical aperture of the objective lens used for converging the laser beam was 0.85.

Reproducing Data

Each of the random signals recorded in the L0 layer 20 was reproduced by setting the reproducing power (Pr0) of the laser beam at 0.5 mW, and the jitter and C/N (carrier/noise ratio) of each reproduced signal were measured. The jitter was calculated based on the formula: σ/Tw (%) where Tw was one clock period by measuring clock jitter using a time interval analyzer and obtaining the fluctuation σ of the reproduced signal. In this specification, the jitter value of the signal recorded on the one track is sometimes referred to as “a single jitter value.”

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the thus measured single jitter values, wherein the ● mark shows the results of the one value recording and the ▴ mark shows the results of double value recording. As shown in FIG. 9, in the case where the recording power Pw0 was equal to or lower than about 5.0 mW, since the power of the laser beam was insufficient, the curve showing the variation of the jitter value of the double value recording had the same gradient as that of the single value recording but was slightly shifted to the right and the jitter value of the single value recording was lower than that of the double value recording.

However, as the recording power Pw0 was increased above 5.0 mW, the jitter value of the double value recording reached about 12% of a bottom value and as the recording power Pw0 was further increased, the jitter value of the double value recording stayed low because thermal interference was suppressed, while the jitter value of the single value recording became worse because of thermal interference.

It was thus found that in the case of employing the pulse train patterns of the double value recording, the jitter value at a higher recording power was lower than that in the case of employing the pulse train patterns of the single value recording and that in the case of employing the pulse train patterns of the double value recording, the range of the recording power Pw0 which could suppress the jitter value to 12% or lower, for example, was wider than in the case of employing the pulse train patterns of the single value recording. Therefore, it was found that when the pulse train patterns of the double value recording were employed, thermal interference on neighboring recording marks could be suppressed and the power margin could be widened.

Recording Data (Measuring a Cross Jitter Value)

Next, random signals including a 2T signal to an 8T signal were recorded on five tracks of the L0 layer 20 of the optical recording medium 10 using the double value recording pulse train patterns shown in FIGS. 7(a) to 7(d). More specifically, random signals were first recorded on pairs of two tracks on the opposite side and finally, random signals were recorded on a central track. In the pulse train patterns, the recording power (Pb0′), the erasing power (Pe0) and the bottom power (Pb0) were set to 0.9×Pw0, 1.5 mW and 0.1 mW, respectively, while the recording power (Pw0) was varied. T_(top), T_(mp) and T_(lp) were set to 0.2T, T_(off) was set to 0.8T and T_(cl) was set to 1.0T.

Further, as a comparative example, random signals including a 2T signal to an 8T signal were recorded on five tracks of the L0 layer 20 of the optical recording medium 10 using the single value recording pulse train patterns used for recording data in the L1 layer 30 and shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d). In the pulse train patterns, the erasing power (Pe0) and the bottom power (Pb0) were set to 1.5 mW and 0.1 mW, respectively, while the recording power (Pw0) was varied. T_(top), T_(mp) and T_(lp) were set to 0.2T, T_(off) was set to 0.8T and T_(cl) was set to 1.0T.

As the random signals, signals in the (1,7) RLL modulation scheme were recorded by setting the clock frequency to 65.7 MHz (T=15.2 nsec) and the linear recording velocity to 5.7 m/sec. The wavelength of the laser beam used for recording data was 405 nm and the numerical aperture of the objective lens used for converging the laser beam was 0.85.

Reproducing Data

Each of the random signals recorded on the central track of the L0 layer 20 was reproduced by setting the reproducing power (Pr0) of the laser beam at 0.5 mW, and the jitter and C/N (carrier/noise ratio) of each reproduced signal were measured. The jitter was calculated based on the formula: ρ/Tw (%) where Tw was one clock period by measuring clock jitter using a time interval analyzer and obtaining the fluctuation σ of the reproduced signal. In this specification, the jitter value of the signal recorded on the central track among the five tracks is sometimes referred to as “a cross jitter value.”

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the thus measured cross jitter values, wherein the ● mark shows the results of the one value recording and the ▴ mark shows the results of double value recording. As shown in FIG. 10, in the case where the recording power Pw0 was equal to or lower than about 5.0 mW, since the power of the laser beam was insufficient, the curve showing the variation of the jitter value of the double value recording had the same gradient as that of the single value recording but was slightly shifted to the right and the jitter value of the single value recording was lower than that of the double value recording.

However, as the recording power Pw0 was increased above 5.0 mW, the jitter value of the double value recording reached about 13% of a bottom value and as the recording power Pw0 was further increased, the jitter value of the double value recording stayed low because thermal interference was suppressed, while the jitter value of the single value recording became worse because of thermal interference.

It was thus found that in the case of employing the pulse train patterns of the double value recording, the jitter value at a higher recording power was lower than that in the case of employing the pulse train patterns of the single value recording and that in the case of employing the pulse train patterns of the double value recording, the range of the recording power Pw0 which could suppress the jitter value to 13% or lower, for example, was wider than in the case of employing the pulse train patterns of the single value recording. Therefore, it was found that when the pulse train patterns of the double value recording were employed, the influence of recording marks on neighboring tracks could be suppressed, thereby preventing cross-talk of data and cross-erase of data and the power margin could be widened.

Thus, it was found that in the case of recording data in the L0 layer 20 close to the light incidence plane 13 a, when the recording powers of the top pulse and the last pulse were set to be lower than that of each of the multi-pulses, signal characteristics of the thus formed recording marks could be improved. 

1. An information recording method for recording information in an optical recording medium having at least stacked first and second information recording layers where information is recorded by projecting a pulse-like laser beam whose power is modulated between a plurality of levels including at least a recording power onto the optical recording medium via a light incidence plane and forming thereon a plurality of recording marks selected from a group consisting of several types of recording marks with different lengths, the information recording method comprising a step of setting the recording powers of a top pulse and/or a last pulse of the laser beam used when at least one recording mark is to be formed in the first information recording layer to be lower than the recording power of a multi-pulse thereof, thereby recording information in the first information recording layer.
 2. An information recording method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first information recording layer is located on the side of the light incidence plane with respect to the second information recording layer.
 3. An information recording method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the recording power of the top pulse and the recording power of the last pulse are set to be at the same level.
 4. An information recording method in accordance with claim 1, wherein information is recorded in the second information recording layer with the recording powers of the top pulse and/or the last pulse of the laser beam set to be substantially the same as the recording power of the multi-pulse thereof.
 5. An information recording method in accordance with claim 1, wherein a wavelength λ of the laser beam and a numerical aperture NA of an objective lens satisfy the condition that λ/NA is equal to or shorter than 700 nm.
 6. An information recording method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the laser beam has a wavelength λ of 200 to 450 nm.
 7. An information recording apparatus for recording information in an optical recording medium having at least stacked first and second information recording layers where information is recorded by projecting a pulse-like laser beam whose power is modulated between a plurality of levels including at least a recording power onto the optical recording medium via a light incidence plane and forming thereon a plurality of recording marks selected from a group consisting of several types of recording marks with different lengths, the information recording apparatus being constituted so as to set the recording powers of a top pulse and/or a last pulse of the laser beam used when information is to be recorded in the first information recording layer to be lower than the recording power of a multi-pulse thereof.
 8. An information recording apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the first information recording layer is located on the side of the light incidence plane with respect to the second information recording layer.
 9. An information recording apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein information is recorded in the second information recording layer with the recording powers of the top pulse and/or the last pulse of the laser beam set to be substantially the same as the recording power of the multi-pulse thereof.
 10. An information recording apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein a wavelength λ of the laser beam and a numerical aperture NA of an objective lens satisfy the condition that λ/NA is equal to or shorter than 700 nm.
 11. An information recording apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the laser beam has a wavelength λ of 200 to 450 nm.
 12. An optical recording medium which has at least stacked first and second information recording layers and in which information can be recorded by projecting a pulse-like laser beam whose power is modulated between a plurality of levels including at least a recording power onto the optical recording medium via a light incidence plane and forming thereon a plurality of recording marks selected from a group consisting of several types of recording marks with different lengths, the optical recording medium comprising setting information required for setting the recording powers of a top pulse and/or a last pulse of the laser beam used when information is to be recorded in the first information recording layer to be lower than the recording power of a multi-pulse thereof.
 13. An optical recording medium in accordance with claim 12, wherein the first information recording layer is located on the side of the light incidence plane with respect to the second information recording layer.
 14. An optical recording medium in accordance with claim 12, wherein information is recorded in the second information recording layer with the recording powers of the top pulse and/or the last pulse of the laser beam set to be substantially the same as the recording power of the multi-pulse thereof.
 15. An optical recording medium in accordance with claim 12, which further comprises a light transmission layer and the light transmission layer has a thickness of 30 to 200 μm. 